I can’t even believe I’m reviewing this. I’m going to have to streeeeeetch my words out because what is there to say about Archie that hasn’t been said for decades? Archie is the star of Riverdale High. Girls love him. Guys want to be him. He plays the guitar and women swoon. He loves down-to-earth Betty but is swept up by the foxy Veronica. Jughead eats burgers. Reggie is a creep. What else is there to say?
Nothing new, really, but the book Archie, Volume One is pretty fun, though it doesn’t really differ in any way from the original. Well, the drawings are better (Jughead is strangely hot) and it’s way more diverse. But the plots are the same basic scenarios. Which means there is some sexist bullshit, like the time Archie criticizes Betty for wearing makeup or how Veronica’s only quality is she’s hot or how the women are set against one another in some kind of cat fight over a blah-tastic male.
Still, the illustrations really are awfully good—kind of sexy and sharp-edged. Archie and Betty’s friendship is the foundation of their relationship and that’s’ rather sweet. Veronica treats Archie like a dog, and you kind of love to see it. I expected the comic to be more subversive, but it’s silly and innocent with nothing much to say. That’s okay, I didn’t read it for its depth! I read Archie growing up (along with Nancy and Little Lulu, god I’m old) and it was fun to delve in again. I probably won’t buy volume two, but you never know.
Okay, 264 words. Whew, made it through.